Bismarckia

Family. Arecaceae or Palms.

Origin. Madagascar.

Description. Bismarckia is a palm tree 10 - 15 m high with large, lush palmate, green or gray-silver leaves, similar to artificial ones, forming a very lush symmetrical crown. Due to the complex interlacing of leaf petioles, the gray or yellow-brown trunk looks like a wicker basket. The trunks are thick, 30 - 45 cm in diameter. The leaves are round, large, more than 3 m wide, divided into 20 or more rigid segments. Petioles are 2 - 3 m long, covered with a white waxy coating. The crown is almost spherical and reaches 7.5 m in diameter. Plants are dioecious. The inflorescences are inconspicuous, consisting of many small brown flowers. The fruit is a brown ovoid drupe with a single seed.

Height. Up to 25 m in height in nature and rarely higher than 12 m in culture. 

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Bismarckias are heat-loving and grow best at temperatures of 22 °C and above. They can tolerate frosts down to -3 °C, but the leaves are often damaged or even fall off. In winter, the palm rests, showing no development for 4 to 6 months; the temperature can be lowered to 18 to 20 °C. As soon as the temperature rises, the Bismarckia resumes growth and produces 1 to 2 new leaves per month. Varieties with green leaves do not tolerate frost.

Lighting

Prefers well-lit sunny places, but will tolerate partial shade.

Care

Trim off old, dead leaves with a sharp, sterile tool to maintain a neat appearance and prevent disease.

Substrate

Adapts well to many types of soil, but prefers light sandy soil with good drainage and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.

Feeding

It is best to use a special fertilizer for palm trees, as it provides the necessary balance of nutrients and microelements necessary for bismarckia. 

Purpose

Due to its huge size, it is not recommended for small spaces.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

No special requirements.

Soil moisture

It is quite drought-resistant, but watering should not be neglected, especially in summer. In winter, reduce watering, but do not allow the earthen ball to dry out. 

Transfer

Young plants are replanted every spring, adults - once every 2 - 3 years, or simply change the top layer of the substrate to a fresh one.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, which germinate easily within 6 - 8 weeks.

Pests and diseases

May be affected by spider mites and scale insects.